Huge police operation underway for Notting Hill carnival
Metropolitan police unleash huge operation at Notting Hill Carnival
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Sunday, 24, Aug 2008 12:16
The Metropolitan police will unleash a huge operation this weekend to control Europe's biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival.
There will be 11,000 police officers lining the streets in west London over the bank holiday weekend, with 5,000 deployed on Sunday and 6,000 on the Monday.
Nine people were arrested up to yesterday as part of the pre-intelligence operation.
Policing the event will require a huge effort, involving local authorities, the Met, the British Transport police (BTP) and the City of London police force.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison confirmed earlier that intelligence operations around the policing of the carnival had begun months ago and planning for the event had actually begun the week after last year's carnival ended.
While the street party is always brimming with colour, noise and a friendly atmosphere, DAC Allison admitted there would be a "small minority there to cause trouble".
Speaking to inthenews.co.uk, the police chief said it was the Met's aim to make the carnival a "hostile" environment for those intent on causing trouble over the weekend.
Last year, there were 591 crimes reported at the street party, up from 486 the year before, while in 2000 two people were murdered at the event threatening its future.
Considerable work, therefore, was undertaken before the carnival began this year to make sure revellers can enjoy themselves in safety.
Some 200 letters were sent out earlier this month to known trouble-makers telling them not to attend the event.
DAC Allison admitted that there were known gangs planning on attending the carnival this year but officers had been briefed and a large-scale CCTV operation would be in place to track them through Notting Hill.
"If people start misbehaving we will intervene and start making arrests," the Met chief warned.
"We are watching you, we know who you are. Don't bother coming."
The British Transport police are set to install a number of mobile arches at London tube stations over the weekend as the crackdown on knife crime in the capital continues.
Police officers lining the streets will also be issued with wands to scan people for metallic objects.
There will also be specialist dog teams present on the outskirts of the carnival, after complaints of dog fighting last year with 14 dogs being removed from their owners.
And Dept Assistant Commissioner Allison has also ordered the use of Section 60 over the weekend, allowing officers to search members of the public without needing a particular reason.
Despite the huge administration and cost, £6 million last year, the Met chief said the Notting Hill Carnival was a challenge the police force welcomes.
"It is a pleasure to be part of it," he said. "We will try our best, we want to reduce crime".
The Notting Hill carnival is taking place in west London from Saturday night through to Monday evening with a huge array of music, floats and food.
Some 750,000 people are expected to attend this year.